the riad table uses techniques seen in traditional tile manufacturing
new on the designboomshop, the hexagonal table by designers alvaro catalan de ocon and francesco faccin can mimic a 'raised floor' by combining as many pieces as desired.
during a visit to marrakesh in 2014, designers alvaro catalan de ocon and francesco faccin came across a workshop of cement tiles and was immediately fascinated by the manufacturing process. the strong visual expressiveness of this construction material has been reflected in the ‘riad table’.
the ‘riad table‘ is a translation of these techniques and combines the graphic motifs of hydraulic tiles. the geometric drawings seen on the surface top references the traditional designs found in architecture from baghdad to the great mosque of damascus.
‘a great part of the design process lies in resolving what is not visible to the naked eye. therefore, it has been necessary to research more technical materials to lighten, reinforce and resize the product. we also needed to intervene in its traditional manufacturing process in order to accurately place a metallic element which works as a node or keystone to reinforce the object and, at the same time, to position the legs in perfect geometry.’ – alvaro catalan de ocon and francesco faccin, industrial designers
alhambra 2 table
alvaro catalan deocon and francesco faccin explores the cement tile which was born introduced in the south mediterranean at the beginning of the 20th century as an industrialized evolution of the old mosaic or marble floors. presently, it is still considered a highly artesanal skill and method of craft and its production has mainly moved to morocco due to the high costs of hand labor in europe.
riad table from alvaro catalan de ocon
the cement and pigments before mixing
the artisan cleaning the grids
filling the molds at the factory
grid is removed
the mold is filled in the factory
álvaro Catalán de Ocón (left) francesco Faccin (right) met each other while studying industrial design in milan
side view of the riad
marrakech 1
palermo 1 inside the packaging
marrakech 1
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